Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANAA314
2009-02-21 08:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:
A VICTORY FOR CHILD BRIDES: PARLIAMENT (FINALLY)
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHYN #0314 0520816 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 210816Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY SANAA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1248
UNCLAS SANAA 000314
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP AMACDONALD AND DRL JBARGHOUT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI YM
SUBJECT: A VICTORY FOR CHILD BRIDES: PARLIAMENT (FINALLY)
RAISES THE MARRIAGE AGE
UNCLAS SANAA 000314
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP AMACDONALD AND DRL JBARGHOUT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI YM
SUBJECT: A VICTORY FOR CHILD BRIDES: PARLIAMENT (FINALLY)
RAISES THE MARRIAGE AGE
1. With strong opposition from Islah, Parliament voted on
February 14 to approve a marriage law setting the minimum age
of marriage at 17 for men and women. The law also stipulates
that no woman of any age can be married without her consent.
Parents violating the law face imprisonment for up to a year
or a fine of approximately $500 USD. A 1992 law set the
minimum legal age of marriage at 15, but it was revoked by
Parliament in 1998 under pressure from religious
conservatives. Until now, multiple attempts to reinstate a
minimum age for marriage failed in Parliament. Islah
campaigned against the amendment until the final vote, and
Islah MP Mohamed al-Hazme distributed a brochure in
Parliament stating that raising the minimum age of marriage
was in contradiction to Islamic law and should not be
tolerated.
2. In 2008, several high-profile "child brides" ) some
under the age of 10 ) drew attention to the phenomenon of
early marriage in Yemen, where the average age of marriage
for girls in rural areas is 12 or 13. Shada Nasser, a human
rights lawyer who represented some of the child brides in
their divorce cases, told PolOff on February 18, "I am happy
with the law. It is good, but it's not enough." She
explained that the ROYG needed to go further with marriage
law, including a provision requiring the marriage contract to
be signed in court rather than at home, which would provide
the woman with greater legal protection.
COMMENT
--------------
3. Passage of the new marriage law represents an important
step forward for protecting the rights of Yemen's children.
In a society where tradition and social custom often take
precedence over the law, however, the practical impact will
remain minimal without awareness campaigns and a sustained
effort to change societal beliefs. END COMMENT.
SECHE
SIPDIS
FOR NEA/ARP AMACDONALD AND DRL JBARGHOUT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI YM
SUBJECT: A VICTORY FOR CHILD BRIDES: PARLIAMENT (FINALLY)
RAISES THE MARRIAGE AGE
1. With strong opposition from Islah, Parliament voted on
February 14 to approve a marriage law setting the minimum age
of marriage at 17 for men and women. The law also stipulates
that no woman of any age can be married without her consent.
Parents violating the law face imprisonment for up to a year
or a fine of approximately $500 USD. A 1992 law set the
minimum legal age of marriage at 15, but it was revoked by
Parliament in 1998 under pressure from religious
conservatives. Until now, multiple attempts to reinstate a
minimum age for marriage failed in Parliament. Islah
campaigned against the amendment until the final vote, and
Islah MP Mohamed al-Hazme distributed a brochure in
Parliament stating that raising the minimum age of marriage
was in contradiction to Islamic law and should not be
tolerated.
2. In 2008, several high-profile "child brides" ) some
under the age of 10 ) drew attention to the phenomenon of
early marriage in Yemen, where the average age of marriage
for girls in rural areas is 12 or 13. Shada Nasser, a human
rights lawyer who represented some of the child brides in
their divorce cases, told PolOff on February 18, "I am happy
with the law. It is good, but it's not enough." She
explained that the ROYG needed to go further with marriage
law, including a provision requiring the marriage contract to
be signed in court rather than at home, which would provide
the woman with greater legal protection.
COMMENT
--------------
3. Passage of the new marriage law represents an important
step forward for protecting the rights of Yemen's children.
In a society where tradition and social custom often take
precedence over the law, however, the practical impact will
remain minimal without awareness campaigns and a sustained
effort to change societal beliefs. END COMMENT.
SECHE